Abstract

RAMOS-ORDONEZ, María Felix et al. Population parameters of a medicinal species at risk, the case of Amphipterygium adstringens. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2022, vol.93, e933908.  Epub Dec 05, 2022. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2022.93.3908.

Cuachalalate (Amphipterygium adstringens) is an endemic species of the Mexican tropical deciduous forest; its bark is important in traditional medicine. However, the characteristics of its population have been poorly studied. We evaluated density of the individuals, spatial distribution pattern, age structure, association with nurses, and extraction of A. adstringens bark, in 10 locations in Mexico, using four 30 × 40 m sampling units at each site. We found variations in the populations size with average densities of 70 to 279 individuals/ha, the spatial distribution of individuals was random in 3 locations and aggregated in 7. Seedlings were not recorded, 63% of the individuals are adults, and the rest are pre-reproductive, indicating few or no regeneration, characteristic of declining populations, which causes the species to present some risk. Pre-reproductive individuals establish in open areas or under other perennials, mainly arboreal, including conspecific ones, possibly due to the diaspore dispersal pattern and to both biotic and abiotic factors. There were low percentages of extraction in the larger trees, which suggests no overexploitation of the bark and that the use responds to the knowledge of the inhabitants.

Keywords : Density; Spatial distribution; Establishment; Endangered species; Age structure.

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